As You See It, May 28, 2014: Santa Cruz needs to make water changes

It is heartening to see new leadership for decisions about water supplies in Santa Cruz. Information and education for water users will be helpful. Few are probably aware that in Sonoma County, a recycled water system supplies irrigation to premium wine grape vineyards. San Jose City Hall uses recycled water to flush its toilets. The town of La Habra Heights in the heart of the LA Basin brags that adequate water storage means that community (like most in California) need not undergo mandatory rationing. Santa Cruz area residents who favor desalination do not factor in the ongoing (and increasing) cost of energy to operate the plants. Like other communities have successfully done, we too can use recycled water for golf courses and agricultural irrigation and we can increase water storage infrastructure so that we are not on the very short list of places where residents endure the punitive measures of increased costs in exchange for decreased supply.

— Glenn R. Stewart, Santa Cruz

Where's the Dignity in dismissal of consultant?

Dominican Hospital's recent firing of their treasured lactation consultant Janet Hoover was a shortsighted and costly mistake. Janet is unique in this community, with her vast experience and skill at assisting our most vulnerable members: babies in the Level 3 NICU. This includes special situations as prematurity, multiples, illness, birth defects, etc. Janet's patience and skill has meant that these babies have benefited from their mother's milk and have continued on to successful nursing as they grow and heal. This benefits our entire community! What an utter (udder?) mistake on Dominican's part. Dominican is always trying to find ways to lure people from Sutter. They will discover just how this will send people away from Dominican.

— Kelly Olmstead, Santa Cruz

Napolitano's empty words on Isla Vista tragedy

UC President Janet Napolitano's statement that "This is almost the kind of event that's impossible to prevent," is telling. It tells us again that our leaders hide behind empty and wildly inaccurate statements barely worth printing in order to avoid meaningful action requiring leadership instead of management skills.

Meaningful gun control would go a long way toward preventing these tragedies. But that would involve congress not being beholden to the zealous core of the NRA. Napolitano's job is in large part political and like most politicians she is, ironically, afraid to speak truth to power. Contrast such statements by those of the parents involved on both sides who once again ask "when will the insanity stop." Clearly only if and when the law makers find their backbones.

— Tom Bates, Santa Cruz

Rethink priorities on subsidies for SC water

Do our City's priorities benefit an elite few instead of our wider community? "... Golf courses like Delaveaga use about 140,000 gallons of water per day." "... Delaveaga does not use recycled water." "That's roughly the same amount of water a family of four uses in a year" (SC Sentinel, 5/20/14). How much does Delaveaga Golf Course pay for this water per unit compared to households in SC? How much does this cost the taxpayers? This subsidy should be publicly known.

When water wasn't an issue, the City closed Harvey West Pool because it didn't break even, though it served the broad community of all ages and economic status. We're a coastal city. Learning to swim affordably is a big safety plus especially for our children. The City Council should rethink their choices of public subsidies, especially when they involve water during this time of drought.

— Susan Martinez, Santa Cruz

Accept that gun ownership a privilege, not a right

As we read of the horrific act of gun violence in Santa Barbara, we still seem focused on the symptoms and not the disease. From my first day of law school I argued with my Constitutional Law professor that the 2nd Amendment did not confer on every citizen the unconditional right to bear arms. I asserted that the right to arm oneself was necessary at a time when citizens had no other means of safeguarding their homes. But in today's world we have police forces and standing armies for exactly that purpose. Like the license to operate a motor vehicle, gun ownership is a privilege, not a right, and as such must be exercised responsibly. When we accept this basic premise and act accordingly, we will be one step closer to preventing gun violence, not just in other communities, but in ours as well.